Portable lamp and guard therefor.



R. B. BENJAMIN.

PORTABLE LAMP AND GUARD THEREFOR.

APYLIGATION FILED JUNE 7, 1907' 9?4,Q & Patented Nov. 1,1910.

v I 2 SHEETS-$113111 l.

R. B. BENJAMIN.

PORTABLE LAMP AND GUARD THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, 1907.

Patentad 31 0V. 1, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. To'all whom it may concern:

"smart s OFFICE! i REUBEN B. BENJAMIN,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO BENJAMIN ELECTRIC. MANUFACTURINGCOMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PORTABLE LAMP AND GUARD THEREFOR.

Be. it known that l. lti-zrnsx I). lnxannx,

a citizen of the United States, residingwat Chicago, in. the county ofCook and State of ;-,-Illinois, have invented new and usetullm- 1 clear,concise, and exact description, rel'erence being had to the aet'otiipanving drawin forming a part of this specification.

a l invention relates to improvements in o1table electric lamps, and hasfor its ohects,tirst. a new form of lamp-holding device; and second, anlll'lpltfi'td guard for the bulb to protect the same from mechanical.injury as well as to prevent any metallic part. of the deriee fromcoming into accidental contact with a live wire or a live part of anyelectrical apparatus in the neighborhood of which the user may beworking.

A third object is to provide a lamp guard in which the minimum ofobstruction to the radiation of light from the lamp is present, while,at the same time, great rigidity in the structure is secured.

These and other objects of my invention will become apparent as thespecification proceeds. 1

In the drawings. which illustrate one cmhodiinent of my invention,Figure l is a side View of my portable electriclamp and guard; Fig. .2:is a top View of the same; Fig. 3 is a section on line Il-3, Fig. lFig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional View on line 4'l. l ig. showing thelamp-socket and the connecting wires leading thereto, in elevation; Fig.5 IS a top view. partly HI sec- (hi5 a fragtion. on line Fi". l

mum, on line tei'erring to the. drawings, the handle 1,

of convenient size and shape and made of (S and 7. As is usualin suchsockets, one of Specification of Letters Patent.

. expedient for electrically comieetiiw I ii the ter- 65 the terminals(.indicated byfi in Figs?) and e the form of a cylindrical shellorslining Patented Nov. 1, 191 0. Application filed June i907. SerialNo. 377,735. f j

is centrally located, while, the other ter-" nnnal (indicated by 7 inFigs. 3 and 5). is in,

screawtlu-eaded seas to receive the screw...

threaded metallic neck or shauk of tlie lain pQ i When the lamp is inplace in the socket, the

central terminal 3 engages a correspondingly located terminal on thelamp, as is well an- (lt't'Stuutl b those skilled in. tht art. 'lh isthe ter minalsol' an incandescent bulb wit minals of the receivingsocket, is so common and well known in the art that. furtherjdeseriptionthereof" is believed to beeun'n'ecessary. 'lhe terminals (3 and 71ha'vebinding screws S for electrically contieeting'thcileads 9 there\\'ith.'lhe handle'l is formed with a bore 10 through which the leads extend toopenings 11 in the base of the soeket 4, as

clearly shown in Figs. -1 and 5. In this" way I readily etl'ectelectrical. connection 75 between the leads and the lamp-socket,although it is apparent that other arraugements may he resorted to foraccon plishs'. in o; the same purpose; the precise arrange numt-slu'm'nbeing merely for the sake of so illustration. 'lhe socket 4 iseonvenientljt" secured in its recess by means of screws 12 which passthrt'iugh the sides of the head 2, and at their ends preferablyprojectinto' notches 13 on the socket to lock the against rotation.

It will thus he seen that my improved portable lamp, as above(lCSCIlbOtLlS a dc- \-'ice compact and simple in structure, and"convenientlyhandled. Of especial use is my portable lamp to persons incharge of clecl-' trical apparatus'-sueh as switchboards where it. isfrequently necessary to inspect: certain parts located in more or lessdark places, in which it; is impossible to \vorlc withouta light. Myportable lampv isad-f mirahly adapted for use in such instaiuesl.v But,in order to prevent mechanical"injury 5 to'the electric bulb, as well asto guard againstinjury to the user and to apparatusflOO by keeping themetallic portions oithe jlamp outof possible contact with anylivecireuit, I surround the bulb withaniivel foray; ofguard. 14, whosestructure I shall now proceed to describe inv detail. This guardisf mfimade of insulating-material (I haVe found 2. vulcanized fiber excellent,forthje pufrposehg and eonsists of a plurality gthin strips latter '35ribs 15, connected at their endsto rings 16 spread apart by the ring 17to form an openmg of suflicient size to permit the ready 1 bands inplace by screws or rivets .27 which passage therethrough of the bulb, aswell as the firm seating of the guard upon the head 2 of the handle. 'loimpart to the guard an appearance of ncatness, I form the upper ends ofthe ribs with inwardly projecting To prevent the lugs 24 from slippingout of their slots in the ring 17, I wind a few layers of thin flexiblebands 26 of insulating material, such as vulcanized fiber) about thebase portion of the guard. I secure these hold the bands against thering 1T about mid 'ay between ad acent rlbs, as mostclearly illustratedin Fig. 3. I thus provide, in effect, a flexible corrugatedclampportions 18, held in close proximity to each 5 other by theconnecting ring lti. In this way I provide the guard with a contour,more or less similar to that of the bulb. Of

course, it is to be understood that the general configuration of theguard may be of any desired style. A stiffening ring 19 may be employedto connect the ribs in a plane about midway between the ends of theribs. One method of conveniently assembling the parts comprising theguard is as follows: It. will be observed that the inwardly curved endsof the ribs have L-shaped lugs or projections 20. whose outer portions21 are adapted to be inserted through the slots 22 in the ring 16, whenthe ribs are held in a position substantially at right angles to that inwhich they are shown in Figs. 1 and i. In other words, to connect a ribwith the ring 16, the parts are so held with respect to each other, thatthe portion 21 of the lug 20 on the rib extends toward the center of thering into one of the slots 22.

pushed radially inward through the slot. whereupon the rib may bepivoted or rocked into the portion shown in Fig. l. During this rockingof the rib the portion 21 will move from the inwardly extending orradial position it occupied in the beginning of the operation, to theupwardly extending or longitudinal position shown in Fig. 4. At the sametime, when the rib approaches the limit of its rocking movement, care istaken that the central part of the rib enters the corresponding slot 23in the stiffening ring 19, and that the lug 24 at: the other end of therib passes into its corresponding slot 25 in the ring 17. In this simplemanner the proper assemblage of the elements constituting the guard isreadily and easily efi'ected. Attention is called to the fact that theribs are arranged radially edgewise. The object of this arrangement istwo-fold,- first, to impart to the structure a greater degree offirmness and rigidity by causing the ribs to receive the stress of theimpact. to which the guard is liable to be subjected during the ordinaryusage of the same, in the. direction of the. longer axes of theircross-sectional areas; and second. to present. the minimum amount ol.interfering surface to the rays of light radiating from within theguard, and thereby obstruct the. light as 5 little as possible,

With the parts in this position the portion 21.

ing ring, which, by tightly embracing the lower ends of the ribs, givesconsiderable strength to the structure of the device.

To attach the guard to the handle, it is only necessary to slip the ring17 over the head 2, the parts being so proportitmed that the ring 17fits snugly over the head 2, so as to be held there by friction. Theperipheral shoulder or projection 28 on the head 2 limits the movementof the guard on the head. I may, however, employ additional means forsecuring the guard to the handle, in the shape oflscrews 29 which, whenthe guard is forced over the head, enter slots 30. A little tighteningof the screws 29 locks the guard firmly to the handle.

Inasmuch as the handle and the guard are constructed of insulatingmaterial, it will be observed that my improved portable lamp may be usedwith perfect safety around electrical apparatus, as above mentioned.The. only exposed metal parts are the isolated screws 27 and 29, whichare incapable of completing a circuit in the event that they come intocontact with the exposed portion of a charged wire. In other words, thelamp is inclosed in an insulating sheath or housing which protects thelamp mechanically as well as electrically.

I do not claim to be the first to devise a portable electric lamp, or aguard for a lamp, but

IVhat. I do claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A lamp guard comprising an end member, a plurality of guard stripsinterlocking ond end member interlocking with the other ends of saidguard strips, and means for retaining, one of said end members and theends of said guard strips in their interlocked position. I

2. A lamp guard comprising an end member. a plurality of guard stripsinterlocking at their ends with said end member. a second end membe rinterlocking with the other ends of said guard strips. and a retainingmember surrounding said last-mentioned end member and the ends of theguard strips to retain them in their interlocked position.

A lamp guard comprising an end member, a plurality of guard stripsinterlocking at their ends with said end member, a ring interlockingwith the other ends of said guard strips, and a retaining member surringW us o' -awetad str ps to retain them n their 'mt'erlo'eked pe',S1t1o'1'1 renndin g'sa'id -4 t lainp guard.comprisingianend memher, ailura'ht'y efzgum-d stripsinterlock1ug retain them in their"interlocked.position,

I said .retainingjs'trip being secured to said :rin g, .atpointsintermediate the gna rd strips.

Adanip gnardcoin )rising an end member," a plurality guart stripsconnected at their lents' t liere t a ring interlocking with ..--=;thc,,t;herends 0. said guard strips. means fortrctaining the ends of saidguard strips and'sai'drihgin' interlocked relation, and a spacing ringengaging said guard strips in- 2? termediate their ends.

6. A lamp guard comprising in combination a plurality of circularlydisposed flat insulating strips arranged radially edgewise a memberinterlocking with the ends of said strips so as to connect themtogether, a ring intermediate the ends of said strips, said ring beingformed of non-conducting sheet material and arranged edgewise withrespect to the lamp, and said ring being notched for the reception ofsaid strips, and means for connecting the other ends of saidstripstogeth'ei:

ft. Aiamp guard comprising a plurality of circularly disposed flatinsulating strips arranged radially edgewise, a ring arranged tointerlock with the correspomling ends of said strips ,:a member to whichthe opposite ends ofzthe strips are attached, and a flat ring ofinsulating material intermediate the 43 ends'of the strips, said ringbeing arranged edgewise. with respect to the lamp and having' its outeredge notched for the reception of the-inner edges of said strips.

-H. A. lamp-guard comprising. in comhination. a plurality of circularlydisposed strips of insulating material arranged radially wilt-Jew .fe.and means forspacing the corre sponding ends, ofsaid strips. saidspacing means heingadap'ttal to. interlock with said strips and therebysecure them together.

'9. lira lamp-guard, in combination, a plurality ofrircularlv disposedstrips arranged radially 'edgewise. a ring to which corre- Spondingends'ol the strips meattaehed, a second ring towhich the oppositeends'ot' the strips are connected. and a flexible corrugated handmirried by said second ring and mbracing the lower ends ol the strips tohold tht-flsa'nnl'n-mly upon the ring.

" ltl." in a lamp giuard. in'cmnhination, a ,pair oli rings providedcrult with suitably spaced slots. -a plurality of strips having rad allyprojecting'lugs at their upper andldtrt-r ends,'said lugs extending intosaid slots to conne t the rings and the strips -"together;whereby ring.

is formed! I p 11. In a lamp-guard."i'n combmatibnf a. pair otgringsprorided cat-h witlrsnitiilily spaced slots, a plurality 'ot' stripsflfaiuing 7O rad'i'allr projectingiugs at their upper-and lower ends,said. lugs extendinginto-"said slots to'connect the ring and'thdstrip!."ether. anda-ficxible corrugated baud citr- .ried by one of-said ringsandembl i said strips to' hold the sauiel irmly tlpt '12.'In .awlamp-guard. injt-ombinfatu pair of rings m'ovuled each with suitabspaced 'slots, h plurality of stripshavi 8-? lugs at their upperand'loirer ends lugs cxtending into said slots to coiine i: rings andthe strips together, and a an iiig memht'"arranget'lsubstaiitiallymlditiy betweelr'said"rings to engage thestri Ibracing the same. i i

t r131 13. In alamp-guard, ll] (2t)llll)tlltttl()lll' 2t t *w,;'"= pairof rings provided each with suitably spaced slots, a plurality of stripshaving lugs at their upper and lower ends, said lugs extending into saidslots to connect the rings and the straps together, a flexiblecorrngated 'band carried by one ofsaid rings rand embracing said stripsto hold the same.

firmly upon the ring, and an :mxiliarymcui- '9 her arrangedsubstantially midway between said rings and provided with radial slotsfor engaging the strips to brace the same.

14. A lamp guard comprising a plurality of llat strips of insulatingmaterial disposed around the lamp and arranged radially edgewise, a ringarranged to interlock with. the correspomlil'ig ends of thestrips,'amemher to which the opposite ends of the strips are attached,and an insulating ringintermediate the opposite ends of said strips.said ring being notched for the reception of said strips, I 15. A guardfor a. lamp comprising a plurality of flat insulating strips with theiredges presented to the lamp and curved to conform to the shape of thelamp, a member interlocking with the correspomling ends of said stripsyamember to which the opposite ends oi the strips are. attached, and aflat ring Of.ltlSttlttllltg'tltuttt'ittl lo cated betweenthe'ends ofsaid strips and having its outer edge notched 'l'or the reception ol theinner edges ol'- said strips.

It A portable electric lamp, comprising in combination, an insulatinghandle having an enlargement at one end. thereof, said enlargementhaving a portion reduced in external diameter, a lamp carried by said125 handle, an'd a guard-for the lamp ren to\-'abl-y secured to saidenlargement. and extending around said reducedportion, said guard be.-ing formed of insulating mutc"ial'.

l7.' A portableelectric lam comprising, in combination, an insulatinghandle having I i l an enlargement at one end, thereof, a lamp carriedby said handle, and an insulating skeleton-structure embracing saidenlargement and secured thereto for inclosing the lamp, said enlargementhaving a portion of reduced diameter providing a shoulder against whichthe guard is seated.

18. In a lamp-guard, in combination, a plurality of strips,lfltztl'lSjliOl' spacing and connecting the lower ends of said strips toform the base of the guard, and a ring to which the opposite ends of thestrips are connected, said ends being provided with legs which, when,the parts are in position, extend along the periphery of the ring toprevent separation of the strips therefrom.

19. Tn a lamp-guard,- in combination, a plurality of strips, means forspacing and connecting the lower ends of said strips to form the base ofthe guawd, and a ring to which the opposite ends 701' the strips areconnected, said ends being, provided with lugs which, when the parts arein position, extend axially along the inner periphery of the ring toprevent separation of the strips therefrom.

20. In a'lamp-guard, in combination, a plurality of strips, means forspacing and connecting the lower ends of said strips to form thc'base ofthe guard, and aslotted ring for receiving the opposite ends of thestrips, said ends being provided with lugs or projections thatextendfirst radially through the slots in said ring and thenin a directionparallel to the axis of the ring.

21. In a, lamp-guard, in combination, a plurality of strips, means forspacing and connecting the lower ends of said strips tov form the baseof the guard, and a slotted ring for receiving the opposite ends of thestrips, said ends being provided with L- shaped lugs or projectionswhereby the strips may be connected with said rin for assembling theparts, and firmly held t rereto after the parts are thus assembled. V

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceoftwo witnesses.

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN.

.lVitnesses l ARTHUR H. Bon'r'rcnnn, I C. L. HOPKINS. i

